Most people prepare for a job interview by preparing answers to the questions that are most likely to come up. This is a great strategy, but it’s one of several strategies that you can use to deliver a better impression in your next interview.

One of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and is to ask the right questions to the interviewer. By asking the right questions, you stand out as someone that’s truly interested in the job, rather than someone that’s only interested in getting the job.

In this post, we’ll share four great question that you should ask in your next job interview. We’ll also share four questions you shouldn’t ask to make sure you’re completely prepared.

Let’s begin with four questions you should ask, if you think they’re a good fit for the interview:

1) How can I be a good addition to your team?

One of the most important parts of working within an organisation is being good at working with other people. This question shows the interviewer that you’re not just interested in getting the job, but in working alongside the rest of the team.

This is particularly important if you’re applying for a position that involves a lot of collaboration, or if the company you’re applying to work for has a company culture that heavily values collaborative work in general.

2) Who will I be working with in this role?

The people you work with have a huge impact on your creativity, productivity and focus. If your role involves working with other people, ask for more information on the people you’ll be working with if you get the job.

This signals to the interviewer that you’re interested in the people that make up the company. It also signals that you care about your colleagues, indicating that you’re a team player instead of someone that likes to work alone.

3) How will I help the company achieve its goals?

One of the keys to passing an interview is demonstrating that you’re interested in the company’s success, not just your success. Before your interview, research the company so that you better understand its goals, objectives and mission.

During the interview, take the opportunity to ask about how you can help achieve the company’s goals. No matter how minor your role within the company might be, showing that you care about outcomes sets you apart as someone who cares.

4) Can you tell me more about the company’s culture?

Not all companies have the same culture. Some companies are traditional and need their employees to dress and act the part. Others are more laid back, preferring that employees have a work environment that’s built for creativity instead of formality.

Asking if you fit into the company culture is a great way to show that you care about being a good member of the team. This question also shows that you’re aware of the company’s focus on culture and that it’s a priority for the organisation.

Now that we’ve covered four questions you should ask during an interview, let’s look at the four questions you should never ask your interviewer:

1) Can I work from home instead?

If your employer allows telecommuting, they’ll mention it to you during the hiring process. Asking if you can work at home shows that you care more about you than you do about the company’s usual work processes.

2) How much time off will I get?

Holiday time is important – if you can’t spend any time away from work, you’ll never be fully productive at work. However, a job interview isn’t the right time to ask how much time you’ll get off.

3) What exactly will I do here?

If you don’t know what you’ll do at the company, why are you applying? It’s fine to ask some questions about the scope of a job you’re applying for, but if you start the interview with no idea of what the position requires, you’re probably not a good fit.

4) Do you monitor internet usage?

This question might have honest intentions about transparency and privacy, but it comes off as you seeing if it’s possible to aimlessly browse the Internet at work and avoid making the company aware of it.

Are you ready for your next interview?

If you have a job interview coming up, asking the right questions can create a great impression. Memorise the four questions listed above (as well as the four questions not to ask) so that you’re prepared if the interviewer asks you for your opinion.

Author: Matt Fielding is an writer for frontrecruitment.co.uk, a London-based specialist receptionist recruiter.